January is one of the best months for hiking on the Costa Blanca. Cooler temperatures and quieter trails make it the ideal time to explore routes that often go unnoticed outside their local surroundings.
One such walk is the Aspe Aqueduct trail, also known as the Water Route.
This little-known route allows walkers to follow part of the historic water supply system linking Aspe and Elche, constructed at the end of the 18th century. Along the way, hikers encounter impressive aqueducts, abandoned farmhouses, ravines, and viewpoints overlooking the Vinalopó River.
A protected natural area
The trail runs through the Los Algezares Municipal Natural Area, a protected space since 2013 that covers more than 500 hectares of ecological and cultural interest. The route combines stretches of the PR-CV 169 and PR-CV 242 footpaths and is well signposted throughout, making it particularly suitable for beginners and families.
With minimal elevation changes and wide paths for most of the walk, the route offers an accessible way to enjoy both heritage and landscape without technical difficulty.
Following an 18th-century water system
The Aspe aqueduct trail begins in Aspe, tracing part of the water infrastructure built between 1785 and 1789 to supply Elche. The most striking features are two monumental aqueducts known locally as the Four-Eyed Bridge and the Five-Eyed Bridge, both remarkably well preserved.
The starting point is near the Tres Hermanas II Industrial Estate, accessed from the CV-84 road. From there, a dirt track leads past the ruins of the Casa de Upanel and Casa de la Monfortera, former rural farmhouses that once formed part of the area’s agricultural network.
Soon after, walkers reach the Four-Eyed Aqueduct, which spans the Sierra Negra ravine. Rising around 15 metres high and more than two centuries old, it remains one of the route’s most evocative landmarks.
The Five-Eyed Aqueduct
Continuing along the ravine, the trail soon arrives at the Five-Eyed Aqueduct, the most visually impressive structure on the route. Built with solid brick and pointed arches, it stands 17 metres high and stretches nearly 50 metres in length.
From here, the path joins the PR-CV 242, skirting the edge of the Elche Reservoir. This section is rich in historical points of interest, including the old Fábrica de la Luz, the Molino de Caraseta, and the Castillo del Río, a small hilltop fortification offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Several natural viewpoints along this stretch provide excellent perspectives over the Vinalopó River and the protected Los Algezares area.
Landscape, flora, and wildlife
The scenery is typically Mediterranean and semi-arid, shaped by ravines, former farmland, and scattered Aleppo pine groves. Vegetation is dominated by low scrub, esparto grass, and aromatic plants such as thyme.
Wildlife sightings often include birds of prey like the common buzzard and little owl, along with reptiles such as lizards and various snake species that inhabit the warmer, rocky areas.
Aspe aqueduct trail: Practical information
The Aspe Water Route is a circular walk of approximately 13.4 kilometres. Depending on pace and stops, it usually takes between 2 hours 45 minutes and 4 hours to complete. Both the physical and technical difficulty are low, with around 90% of the route following wide dirt tracks or paved sections.
